It’s hot, it’s humid and we all want to stay in the air-conditioned comforts of our home. One way to beat the heat, however, is to enjoy these events this August:
Summer Sonic 2013
☐ Music, Performing Arts
Info: An annual music festival being held simultaneously in Tokyo (Chiba) and Osaka with line-up including Japanese musicians from both major and indie record companies as well as international artists. This year’s line-up includes Metallica, Linkin Park, Stone Roses, CNBlue, Muse, and more.
Date: Aug 10 – 11 / 9:00 am
Entrance: ¥15,500 (1-day pass) / ¥28,000 (2-day pass)
Location: Tokyo – QVC Marine Field & Makuhari Messe
Osaka – Maishima Summer Sonic Osaka special site
Nearest Station: Tokyo – Makuhari Station / Osaka – JR Sakurajima Station
Tel #: 0180-993-030
Website: www.summersonic.com
Yokohama Steelpan Festa 2013
☐ Festival around town, Performing Arts
Info: 2 days of Caribbean beats and rhythm with the unique sound by steel pan and brass band with good Latin performances of “La Bamboo” and “Mexican Hat Dance”.
Date: Aug 10-11 / 1:00 pm
Entrance: Free
Location: Yamashita Park, Yokohama, Kanagawa Prefecture
Nearest Station: Motomachi-Chukagai Station
Website: www.nonaka.com/information
World Happiness Festival
☐ Festival around town
Info: Children friendly music festival started by Yellow Magic Orchestra’s Yukihiro Takahashi with art director Mitsuo Shindo in 2008. This year’s line-up includes Michiko Shimizu, Midnight Suns, Hikashu, Kirinji, and more.
Date: Aug 11 / 11:00 am
Entrance: ¥8,500 (Adult) / ¥1,050 (elementary schoolers) / ¥9,000 (parent & child)
Location: Yumenoshima Park, Koto-ku, Tokyo
Nearest Station: Shin-Kiba Station
Tel #: 0570-084-632
Website: www.world-happiness.com
Punkafoolic! Bayside Crash
☐ Music, Performing Arts
Info: Punk fest with some of Japan’s top rockers including Fight It Out, Secret 7 Line, Snatch, Asshole Unite, Backlift, and more.
Date: Aug 17 / 11:00 am
Entrance: ¥3,500 (adv) / ¥4,000 (door)
Location: Harumi Port Terminal, Harumi, Chuo-ku, Tokyo
Nearest Station: Kachidoki Station
Tel #: 03-6805-3518
Website: www.punkafoolic.com/baysidecrash2013
Sumida Street Jazz Festival
☐ Festival around town, Music, Performing Arts
Info: Launched in 2010 and now in its fourth year, the event welcomes visitors to soak up the vibes and enjoy cool jazz music from both professional and amateur musicians in the shadow of the Sky Tree on the streets of Sumida.
Date: Aug 17-18 / 10:30 am
Entrance: Free
Location: Sumida Ward indoor and outdoor stage
Nearest Station: Kinshicho Station / Oshiage Station
* Shuttle buses are available between stage areas
Website: sumida-jazz.jp
Thirty Seconds to Mars Live in Tokyo
☐ Music
Info: An American rock band from Los Angeles, formed in 1998 consisting of of actor Jared Leto (lead vocals), Shannon Leto (drums) and Tomo Miličević (lead guitar).
Date: Aug 21 / 6:00 pm
Entrance: ¥6,300
Location: Liquid Room, Higashi, Shibuya, Tokyo
Nearest Station: Ebisu Station
Tel #: 03-3499-6669
Website: www.universal-music.co.jp/thirty-seconds-to-mars
Earth Celebration 2013
☐ Festival around town, Performing Arts
Info: Feel the beat reverberating between humans and the earth at this exciting international festival featuring the legendary Kodo drummers.
Date: Aug 23 – 25
Entrance: 1-day pass for 23rd/24th – ¥4,700 (adv) / ¥5,000 (door)
1-day pass for 25th – ¥5,200 (adv) / ¥5,500 (door)
2-day pass for 23rd & 24th – ¥8,400
2-day pass for 24th & 25th – ¥8,900
3-day pass 23rd to 25th – ¥13,000
*Ages 14 & under receive free admission. Student tickets (for ages 24 & under) are also available.
Location: Ogi Town, Sado Island, Niigata Prefecture
Website: www.kodo.or.jp/ec/en
Azabu Juban Summer Night Festival 2013
☐ Festival around town
Info: A popular summer festival with shops and stalls featuring local and international food, music, and more, set-up along Azabu-juban shopping street.
Date: Aug 24-25 / 3:00 – 9:00 pm
Entrance: Free
Location: Azabu-Juban shopping street, Minato-ku, Tokyo
Nearest Station: Azabu-Juban station
Tel #: 03-3451-5812
Website: www.azabujuban.or.jp
Jason Mraz Live in Tokyo
☐ Music
Info: An American singer-songwriter whose international breakthrough came with the release of the single “I’m Yours” from the album We Sing. We Dance. We Steal Things.
Date: Aug 26 / 7:00 pm
Entrance: ¥7,500
Location: Studio Coast, Koto-ku, Tokyo
Nearest Station: Shin-Kiba
Tel #: 0570-084-639
Website: www.studio-coast.com
Sung Si Kyung Japan Fanmeeting 2013
☐ Music
Info: A K-Pop heartthrob whose first hit single “내게 오는 길 (The Road to me)” was release in November 2000.
Date: Aug 28 / 6:30 pm
Entrance: ¥7,800
Location: Zepp Tokyo, Aomi, Koto-ku, Tokyo
Nearest Station: Aomi Station
Tel #: 050-5533-0888
Soul Power Summit 2013
☐ Music
Info: J-Pop music fest featuring various artists like Masayuki Suzuki, KEITA, Kawabata, and more.
Date: Aug 30 / 6:30 pm and Aug 31 / 5:30 pm
Entrance: ¥7,000
Location: Tokyo International Forum Hall A, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo
Nearest Station: Yurakucho Station
Tel #: 050-5533-0888
Asakusa Samba Carnival 2013
☐ Festival around town, Performing Arts
Info: Asakusa’s sexiest carnival is now on its 32nd year, featuring troupes of elaborately Asakusa Samba dancers shaking to the samba beat.
Date: Aug 31 / 1:30 pm
Entrance: Free
Location: (around) Asakusa, Taito, Tokyo
Nearest Station: Asakusa Station
Website: www.asakusa-samba.org